Walk of the Week: Cragie Hill, near South Queensferry

And yet I found myself in a field picking fruit - my three-year-old daughter loved it and, as a result, so did I.

Amid the squeals of delight at finding another ripe strawberry, my eye wandered upwards to a small hill where I reckoned there would be good views and a chance to stretch legs that were stiff from crouching over plants.

We were at Craigie's Farm near South Queensferry. The hill above it - Craigie Hill - is ideal for a summer outing with a young family.

This route takes you along the top to great views encompassing the Pentlands to the south, along and across the Firth of Forth to the Ochils and west as far as the Trossachs. You return along quiet country lanes.

DISTANCE 2 miles.

HEIGHT CLIMBED 150ft.

TIME 1 to 1 hours.

MAP OS Landranger 65.

PARK Head west out of Edinburgh on the A90 and a couple of miles past Barnton turn off at a sign for S Queensferry B924 Dalmeny. At the top of the exit ramp go left, following a sign for Craigie. Park half a mile down the road on the left, at a sign for Craigie's Farm Deli and Caf.

IN SUMMARY

Go to the entrance to the caf and turn left, following a sign for Woodland Walks. A track leads round the side of farm buildings to a road, which you cross. On the other side go through a wooden kissing gate and on to a path leading into woodland, following a sign for Dalmeny & Carlowrie via Craigie Hill.

At a junction of paths go left, along the top of the hill. On entering an area of birch look for a path branching left. This leads through gorse to a great viewpoint just beyond a clearing. Take care as you are right next to the sheer drop down the rock face of a disused quarry at this point.

Return to the junction of paths but go straight on, instead of taking the path to the right which leads back to the start. Continue over a clearing of flat-ish rocks and drop down to meet a wide path, where you go right.

On reaching a minor road go right to drop down to another where you go right again to walk about half a mile back to the start.

REFRESH

The caf at Craigie's Farm is extremely good and as you're using their car park, you really should visit.

WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA:

Craigie's Farm wins again, especially if you have children with you. As well as picking fruit, there are pigs and hens, a play garden and a nature trail to follow (leaflets are available inside). Otherwise, head to South Queensferry and look at the bridges while enjoying an ice-cream. If you've time, head to North Queensferry and Deep Sea World (01383 411880, www.deepseaworld.com).

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, August 15, 2010